Greg Abbott, Mike Huckabee Rally for Late-Term Abortion Ban in Texas

Pro-life proponents rallied at the Texas Capitol in Austin on Monday evening, testifying to the horrors of abortion and praying for the massacre of babies in America to end - among speakers in support of life were former Governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst, Pastor Robert Jeffress from First Baptist Church in Dallas, and Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar from the television show "19 Kids & Counting."

Hundreds of advocates gathered together during yesterday’s legislative hearing for a bill that would ban abortion after 20 weeks of a baby’s life and would improve health care standards for abortion clinics. The rally was organized by the Texas Right to Life organization, and anti-abortion advocates lined the congressional lawn wearing blue. Their hope is to remind committee members in the Texas House of Representatives of the value of life in what First Baptist Church Pastor Robert Jeffress called a battle “between life and darkness.”

Several doctors have testified that babies’ senses allow them to feel pain by 20 weeks of age. Supporters prayed over the legislature, contended for the right to life, and shared testimonies of regret after having had abortions. “The idea that one person can own another person is repulsive. With that, so is the idea that one person can kill another. Every life has value,” said Mike Huckabee to the Texas crowd. Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott agreed - “I may sit in a wheelchair,” he said, “but I stand for life. Texans will protect women and babies.”

An hour after the pro-life rally began, a pro-abortion march started. Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst expressed his heart for those in opposition to the late-term abortion ban – “We will continue to do the Christian thing … to love you as much as we love our unborn babies.” Pro-life supporters lined up outside of the Texas Capitol again this morning, five hours before the hearing was scheduled to begin in the House. A Texas Right to Life staff member indicated that their goal is to fill the gallery in the House with a “sea of blue” in order to prevent another “mob upset,” referring to the pro-abortion tantrum that disrupted last month’s legislative session in the Texas Senate.

Protesters hold signs during an anti-abortion rally at the State Capitol in Austin, Texas, July 8, 2013.REUTERS/Mike Stone

A girl holds a sign during an anti-abortion rally at the State Capitol in Austin, Texas, July 8, 2013. REUTERS/Mike Stone

“We must stop this holocaust against our children,” said Michelle Duggar in support of the bill. The floor debate in the House will begin today, and there will be independently-organized prayer walks and vigils throughout the week.

Infant shoes are displayed on the steps of the State Capitol during an anti-abortion rally in Austin, Texas, July 8, 2013. REUTERS/Mike Stone

Related

The Texas House of Representatives passed the “Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act” today, which prohibits late-term abortions and puts additional restrictions on abortion clinics. The bill, which was stalled by Democrats in the House, is scheduled to be voted on in the Senate tomorrow morning.

Democratic Senator Wendy Davis filibustered for approximately twelve hours last night with the hopes of stalling a bill that would ban late-term abortions in Texas and cause the majority of abortion clinics in the state to close. Although Senator Davis’ filibuster ended prior to the close of the special congressional session, Republicans were not able to pass the bill in time.

After a grueling eleven-hour filibuster succeeded in stalling a bill banning late-term abortions in the Senate on Tuesday, Republican Governor Rick Perry has called the Texas legislature to revisit the proposed legislation in a second special congressional session next month.